About the Leader


Worku Sharew is a Coptic Christian scholar and mystic living in Addis Ababa. He left his homeland in his teenage years, studied philosophy at St. John’s University in Annapolis, Maryland, then returned to Ethiopia where he pursues the study of Coptic Christian mysticism as a writer and translator. Gentle, articulate, an excellent teacher with a wonderful sense of humor, Worku provides a bridge between Western thinking and that of ancient and present day Ethiopia.

Sponsored by the Institute of Noetic Sciences

Trip Date
January 24-February 7, 2006

Optional Extension:
June 13-15, 2006

Trip Cost
$4,790 without international air. (We can help arrange your international air.)

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Historic North, Mysticism & the Tribal Omo Valley

Ethiopia, one of the most interesting and exciting countries in the world, full of history, intrigue, mysticism and mystery. This journey is divided into two portions. In the north, we explore the ancient sacred historic spiritual traditions of Coptic Christianity that predate Western society by centuries. (Many say that Ethiopia is the site of the Garden of Eden). The second portion is an overland adventure into the remote tribal lands of the south, to visit a people living in traditional village compounds, far from any beaten path. This is a journey straight out of the pages of National Geographic magazine.

The Ethiopians are a people of extraordinary grace, beauty, strength, resilience and intelligence whose spiritual and tribal traditions and sense of cultural and personal dignity have remained intact through the centuries.

We begin in the. cosmopolitan capital city of Addis Ababa. Then, our journey takes us north to to Bahir Dar, Lake Tana and the Blue Nile Falls. On to visit what is known as the Eighth Wonder of the World... Lalibela, with its eleven hand hewn subterranean churches, each carved underground from solid stone in the twelfth century. To this day the method of construction has not been explained. Surrounded by ancient mysticism and richness of belief, we witness in these churches traditional Coptic Christian rituals and art unchanged over the last 1,500 years.

After returning to Addis Ababa we fly south by chartered plane to remote tribal areas, traveling in four wheel drive vehicles, camping out at night under the magnificent African skies. Experienced bush guides and a cook accompany us on this leg of the journey. En route we see the nomadic lifestyle of pastoral tribes and hunter gatherers, living simply in harmony with nature. If we are lucky we will encounter local ceremonies. These tribes people revere the ways of their ancestors and the spirits of the bush and, for them, rites of initiation, elaborate body scarification, lip plates and body painting are still a way of life.

On this trip we do not travel the traditional tourist path; this is Africa as you always imagined it to be. Once seen, it can never be forgotten. We return home changed forever, touched by the majestic African continent and her people.

Note: Not for all travelers, this trip is one of the most culturally diverse and rewarding adventures we offer. Tourism infrastructure in Ethiopia is just beginning to be developed, which is one of the reasons so few have visited the country. For this journey there is walking on uneven terrain. You must be in good health and have a flexible, adventurous attitude. In Addis Ababa we stay in a former palace, while in Lalibela our accommodations are comfortable, but simple. On the tribal portion of the trip we sleep in tents four nights.